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Persecution in the Church
Lesson 4
Persecution in Early Church History
Part II Persecution in Church History
From the Time of the Apostles to Present Day
Persecution helped the spread of Christianity
Spread the word by spreading the believers
Purify the church Removed apostates and mere professors
Strengthen witness through the testimony at death
Tertullian: the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church
Early martyrs include:
Virtually all the apostles except for John, who was placed on an island
Aristarchus
Luke
Barnabas
Polycarp
Perpetua
John sent to Patmos
Most if not all the apostles died a martyr’s death
Peter – crucified upside down at Rome by Nero
Paul – beheaded at Rome by Nero
Thomas – speared in India
In one catacomb in Rome, there are the bodies of 174,000 martyrs
Others flayed, dragged by horses, etc.
Peter crucified upside down
Martyrs deaths of the early church
James beheaded by Herod Agrippa, who also killed a number of other early Christians
Phillip – scourged, imprisoned and crucified in Phrygia
Matthew – killed by the sword
James the just – thrown from the temple, stoned and clubbed to death
Depiction of Thomas
Phillip stoned at Hieropolis
James beheaded
James the Just – stoned & clubbed to death
Martyrs deaths of the early church
Mattias – stoned & beheaded at Jerusalem
Mark dragged to pieces by a mob in front of their idol Serapis
Andrew crucified with two pieces of the cross on the ground
Peter crucified upside down
Andrew crucified
Martyrs deaths – early church
Jude (Thaddeus) crucified at Edessa
Bartholomew – beaten and crucified in India
Thomas – thrust through by priests in India
Luke – hung from olive tree
Jude – shot with arrows
Barnabas burned at Salamis
Mark dragged to be burned
Reasons for persecution –political
Rome wanted a uniform world under Roman government, and the worship of the Emperor was a stabilizing factor
The Christians were tied by spiritual factors and placed Christ before Caesar and undermined the classic culture Rome wanted to propagate. They held secret meetings at night
Reasons for persecution –religious
Christians prayed but not to idols –this must be atheism
Christians had a “kiss of peace-this must be immorality
Christians “ate the body of Christ” = cannibalism
You could have another religion, but secondary to that of the state
Reasons for persecution –social
Christians said all people are equal; the pagans believed in a rich aristocracy
The Christians led pure lives, a rebuke to the lives of many pagans
The Christians did not participate in many of the rites and entertainment of the masses
Reasons for persecution
Christianity was seen no longer as a Jewish sect – thus illegal
The Christians threated the economy of many idol-makers, etc.
Initial persecution – Nero who sought a scapegoat for the burning of Rome; killed Peter & Paul
95 – Domitian – exiled John
Rome persecuted the church
Most of the emperors were considered a god which must be worshipped
They opposed the church and its power
There were 10 major persecutions between Nero in 64 A.D. and Diocletian in 303 A.D.
Rome persecuted the believers
While Christianity was viewed as a Jewish sect, there was not a great amount of persecution, as Judaism was tolerated. But when the church spread, and was rejected by the Jews, persecution began as the population of Christians rose to 5-15% of the population, and held themselves apart
Persecution in post-apostolic times
After the death of the apostles, the Christian faith continued to spread
Most of the early persecution was from the Roman empire, and tended to be periodic
There was not much persecution from other religions or from Christians themselves
Persecution 100-250
Emperor Tragan – 112 – don’t seek out Christians, but if one is so, ask three times. If affirmative – kill him
Later in Smyrna – Polycarp killed
Marcus Arelius persecuted Christians – he was a Stoic who believed Christians caused the problems in his time – Killed Justyn Martyr
The martyrs of Lyons 177AD
There was great persecution at this time because Rome could not endure Christians say “Christ is Lord.”
Many Christians were tried and cast into prison and tortured horribly
Some recanted but were returned to prison
Lyons martyrs
Several outstanding martyrs were present
Blandina, a slave woman, endured incredible tortures until her torturers were worn out. She was forced to watch the torture of others and finally gored by bulls after having been burned in an iron seat. She encouraged many
Lyons Martyrs
Bishop Plothinus – 90 years old but steadfast
Sanctus – horribly tortured
Vellitus, a nobleman who defended the Christians
They defeated the satanic opposition
Even those who recanted returned to make confession and were martyred
A survivor of Lyons explains
The torture was instigated by satan
The horrible cruel torture
The kind words of the judge to recant
The steadfastness of the martyrs dealt a tremendous blow to satan
God gave them the ability to withstand inhumane torture
Blandina – of the martyrs of Lyons
Perpetua
Her father, a nobleman, pled with her to recant; she refused.
He took a beating to try to get her free
She had a new-born, and also her slave girl had just delivered
She at last pushed the family away
Perpetua gored by a bull, then beheaded
Perpetua had visions before death
She saw a golden ladder with the devil blocking the entrance, and she must smash the devil’s head
She saw her brother in hell; she prayed and he went to heaven
She saw a vision of fighting an Egyptian
Unscriptural teachings begin
Emphasis that the martyr will win eternal life on his own efforts
That the martyr has special privileges to pray for others
Window depicting Perpetua and her slave Felicia martyrdom
Vitalius, Roman nobleman, buried alive
Here are a few martyrs in the original apostolic times
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna - very effective. Burned at age 86 after he refused to deny Christ - a number came to Christ later from his witness
Justin Martyr - beheaded because of his teaching Christians in their homes
Ignatius, a follower of John, devoured by lions
Polycarp was known and hated by unbelievers
He glorified Jesus Christ
He spoke against idolatry
He was effective not only in Smyrna, but also traveled to Rome
He was powerful in prayer
His strong testimony led to his being burned to death A. D. 156
Phocus, bishop of Sineppe, thrown in lime kiln
Justyn Martyr – apologist beheaded for his faith
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna
Persecution 250-313
Decius demanded every citizen to make a yearly sacrifice to the genius of the emperor, and received a certificate. Origen was tortured – later died
Diocletian, a powerful military ruler, no longer shared power with the senate, and tolerated no other religion. Severe persecution broke out 303-305
Persecution – Diocletian
Churches were burned, leaders captured and killed if they refused to make a sacrifice. Jails were too full to have regular criminals in them
311 – Galerius – edict of toleration
313 – Constantine – freedom of all religions
Showed importance of separation of church and state
Results of persecution
Christianity was first strong in the east
2e – reached the Greek-speaking masses – esp. Alexandria
3e – moved into Latin areas, with Carthage as a strong church
There was the problem of what to do with Christians who denied the faith or gave over scriptures, and came back when the persecution was over
Extreme honor given to martyrs
1. The name of the martyr was inscribed in the catalogue of saints, and they ordered a public recognition.
2. His/her intercession was invoked at public prayers
3. Churches were dedicated to God in his/her memory.
4. The eucharist and divine office were celebrated in his/her honor
Extreme honor given to martyrs
5. His/her festival was observed
6. They made representations of him/her surrounded by divine light
7. His/her relics were enclosed in precious vessels and publicly honored.
Further development of saints
Clement of Alexandria and then Origen began to look at asceticism as equal to martyrdom.
Then they attributed some of the benefits to the monks, who often withdrew totally from society instead of serving it. They no longer preached the gospel to a hostile people
Soon churches wed the state and had false teachings
Baptismal regeneration
Infant baptism – first by immersion
Bishops began to claim precedence, and also a split between Rome and Constantinople. The clergy dominated, and then joined the state
In 416 infant baptism by law
Now churches filled with unbelievers and compulsion not freedom
The true churches rejected these laws.
The false church called themselves Christian and had all sorts of names for the loyal churches – Montanist, Tertullianist, Anabaptist, etc.
Further councils promoted
Worship of Mary
Worship use of images
No salvation outside the Catholic church
Some of the persecuted groups strayed from true doctrine as it was difficult to have scriptures, and those who did were tortured and the scriptures destroyed –Donatists, Paulicians,
Indulgences
Required a “bank account” of excess of good works in heaven obtained by the saints, but accessible to the church, who could sell them
Purgatory – where people would stay until cleansed of their sins
Further doctrinal deviations in the 10-13th centuries
Transubstantiation accepted as an official doctrine
The Inquisition
The denial of the Bible to laymen
Terrible persecution of Albigenses and Waldenses
These individuals were primarily Bible believing individuals, most of whom also practiced non-resistance. They were hunted down and persecuted by the Roman Catholics, and many burned.
During the Reformation
Catholics persecuted
Protestants
Anabaptists
Protestants, including Luther and Zwingli persecuted
Anabaptists
John Wycliffe 1320-1384
Was against the corruption within the church and its riches
He translated the Bible into English –finished by Nicholas of Herford
He opposed the Pope, transubstan-tiation, and felt that the Bible should take priority over the traditions of the church
John Wycliffe
He had influence on the Lollards and Mennonites (through John Huss)
He died of a stroke. The Roman Catholic church declared that he was a heretic, banned his books, and exhumed his body, burned the bones and cast them in the River Swift
John Wycliffe
John Wycliffe preaching to Lollards
Burning the bones of John Wycliffe
John Huss 1373-1415
Richard II married Anne from Bohemia
The ideas of Wycliffe went to Bohemia, where they were accepted by Huss.
Huss was called to appear before the pope and guaranteed safe conduct. But there he was condemned to death and burned.
His group continued as the United Brothers of Moravia
John Huss
Savonorola 1452-1498
This priest complained to the pope and wanted reform within the church. The church condemned and hanged him.
During this period, councils no succeeded in reformation, and once they had 3 popes at the same time. Finally the popes regained power and they did NOT have a constitutional sort of government
Savonorola
Some of Savonorola’s problems appeared when he gained secular power in Florence, and acted as governor. Some of his policies were very strong, and he developed powerful political enemies, and lost public support. He was opposed by the Roman Catholic church and burned as a heretic
Savanorola
The inquisition
The Catholics retaliated from the Protestant Reformation with the ban of books and the inquisition.
This was especially vicious in Spain, with an estimated 10,000 deaths from torture
Priests asking a “heretic” to repent
Inquisition – the rack
The Portuguese and Spanish inquisition
Galileo & the inquisition
The Inquisition
William Tyndale (1494-1536)
Brilliant scholar in 8 languages
He accepted reformed theology
Hid in Europe and translated much of the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek in excellent translation
He was betrayed, imprisoned, and burned as a heretic
William Tyndale
Execution of Tyndale
Persecution in England, especially with Mary
Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife Catherine, a devout Catholic, and maryAnne Boleyn. The pope declined to permit it, and at the suggestion of Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII declared himself the head of the church of England. No change in Catholic doctrine was present, and Henry VIII died a Catholic.
Persecution in England
Henry was succeeded by Edward VI, a Protestant, and bishops Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley began to make changes in the church of England
At the death of Edward, however, Mary, a devout Catholic, came to power determined to return England to the Catholic church
Persecution in England, especially with Mary
There was a struggle of power between the Anglicans and the Catholics
Many were martyred when Catherine’s daughter, “Bloody Mary”, came to power. She killed 275 persons during her 5 year reign, declaring them “heretics” by the Catholic church.
Persecution in England, especially with Mary
Jane Grey, queen for only 9 days, was executed (as a martyr).
Mary was killed
Then Elizabeth became queen and reestablished the church of England.
Execution of Jane Grey
Ridley and Latimer executed
During Bloody Mary’s reign, she condemned Ridley and Latimer as heretics and burned them at the stake.
What is ironic is that they themselves had persecuted Anabaptists
Ridley and Latimer burned at the stake
Five different established churches persecuted Anabaptists
Rome
Greek orthodox
Lutheran
Presbyterian
Anglican
All were state churches with state power behind them
50 million anabaptists and others murdered in 12 centuries
At one place in Europe, the road had stakes every few feet with the head of a martyred “heretic” impaled on a stake
They were called by many names, usually from a strong leader, but also the name “ana-baptist” Rebaptizer
A new persecuted church turned persecutor
The Congregational church arose in the 16th century, repudiating the rule of the clergy and having congregational rule
However, they still agreed with infant baptism
Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Presbyterians persecuted them
Peace of Westphalia 1648
Catholics, Lutherans and Presbyterians would no longer fight each other
However, severe persecution existed against the Waldensians & Anabaptists
Zwingli – a “great reformer” and a “great persecutor”
Zwingli in Geneva persecuted the Anabaptists who fled there unmercifully.
He had apparently agreed with his personal friend Balthazar Hubmaier that infant baptism was wrong but changed his mind, and later put Hubmaier on the rack. He was later apprehended, burned to death and his wife drowned
Zwingli
Once he locked up 20 persons –men, women, pregnant women and young girls in a dark tower with bread and water until all had died together.
Ulrich Zwingli
John Bunyan
A Puritan or non-conformist preacher, he was arrested for preaching which was “unauthorized” and to failing to attend compulsory Anglican church services.
He wrote Pilgrim’s Progress while in jail
John Bunyan
John Bunyan – Bedford jail
Persecution during the 16-18th
centuries
During this time, incredible persecution took place.
The Huguenots were basically wiped out of France
The Anabaptists were hunted throughout Europe
Persecution of Huguenots in France
St. Barthomew Day Massacre of Huguenots
Dirk Willems
This Anabaptist escaped from prison and headed over thin ice away from prison. A guard pursued him but fell through the ice and was in danger of death. Dirk returned and saved the man, who wanted to release him but the baliff would not permit it. He was condemned and executed.
Dirk Willems saves his captor
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